improving your attic ventilation

Is your attic ventilated properly? When the temperatures outside get hot, can you feel the heat coming from your attic into your living space? If so, there is a good chance that your attic hasn't been properly ventilated. Some attic spaces weren't designed well and trap the hot air that the sun is creating instead of letting it ventilate out of the house. When this happens, the interior of your home will heat up more quickly and you will pay more to try to maintain a comfortable temperature. This blog will show you all about attic ventilation and teach you what needs to be done to improve it.

Preparing Your Furnace For Non-Use In The Summer

Posted on:
9 February 2016

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Once winter comes to an end, you will get to enjoy a few months of not having to use your furnace. During those months, your furnace will sit idle. Before you power down the furnace for the summer, it is important that you prepare the furnace for a little vacation. Here, you will learn how to do just that.

You will need a few supplies including:

Screwdriver

Spray lubricant

New furnace filter

Shop-vac with brush and crevice attachments

Turn off the Gas

If the furnace is powered by gas, you can turn off the gas to the unit for the summer. If you allow the gas to remain on, the pilot light will need to remain lit. That little flame will cost money and really is unnecessary if you don't have the gas turned on to the furnace.

If your furnace is older, this step is also a safety measure. Some older furnaces don't have an automatic gas shut-off if the pilot light goes out. If this is the case, the gas that is feeding the pilot light will leak into your home and cause several safety issues.

Clean and Lubricate the Blower Fan

Remove the outer panel of your furnace to access the blower fan. In many furnace models, this will require the removal of a few screws, while others have an easy access door panel that utilizes a lever that you just lift and remove the door.

After you have access to the fan, use the shop-vac with the crevice attachment to suck out any dust or dirt in the area. Next, put on the brush attachment and suck as much dust and dirt off of the fan and other components in the area as possible.

Note: If you have a central cooling system, cleaning the fan can help decrease the chances of mold growth and spreading the spores throughout your home while the cool air circulates.

Now that the fan is clean, lubricate the fan. Use the can of spray lubricant to lubricate the moving components of the fan. This will help prevent the fan from seizing and rusting.

Replace the Filter

Furnace filters capture a lot of dust and dirt throughout the winter. Remove the old filter and use the shop-vac with the crevice tool to suck as much dust and dirt out of the area as possible. After you have cleaned it, insert a new filter.

If you are unsure of your ability to prepare your furnace for several months of non-use, talk with your local furnace technician (like Laroc Refrigeration-Metal Division) for assistance.